LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Minister of Publio Works (Hon. J. G. Coates), speaking at the opening of the Nihutupo dam, in Auckland, stated (reports the Press Association) that it has been definitely decided to 'continue the Arapuni scheme. The Government meant to fulfil its contracts for the supply of power in 1923. Plans and specifications already were printed and had been sent overseas. A commission of 'engineers had declared that the scheme was perfectly safe. It was expected that four or five large firms would tender for the construction of the dam s!nd hdadworks.

A-live albatross and several live penguins are included among the "bag" which was brought back by Mr. Gilbert Archey, assistant-curator of the Canterbury Museum, from a visit to the SubAntarctic Islandß (says an exchange). Mr. Archey made the trip especially to inquire into the natural history of these islands, and brought back a great many specimens. He ,has numbers of insects, crustaceans, and' the smaller invertebrates. All these specimens will be sent to workers, in the particular scientific groups for investigation. Many of the specimens acquired will also be used for exhibition in the museum.

"I come back," said Mr. James Fletcher in the course of- an interview at Dunedin on his return from a world tour, "more than ever confirmed in my belief that New Zealand is the best place for the ordinary man to live in. I am also sure that it is our duty to let the world at large know more about this happy land of ours. Whilst in America I saw New Zealand mentioned only twice in the newspapers, and the only reference in the Glasgow papers was as to a serious earthquake. We must-make it our business to advertise New Zealand largely in the interests.of the Dunedin Exhibition. The Americans are looking -ior places to go to, and they would come in shoalß if our country did half the advertising that other countries indulge in."

The time-table to be observed when the Otira Tunnel is opened' is being kept secret, but the fact that the refreshment and luncheon rooms are to be at Otira, and not at Arthur's Pass, seems to indicate that the trains will leave and arrive -at Christchurch at about the same time as at present, and leave and arrive at Greymouth two hours later and earlier. It can be easily estimated, says the Christchurch " Sun," that the trip through the tunnel will result in a saving of quite two hours, J and by giving the West Coast the benefit of those two hours it will enable a connection from. Ross in the south- and R'eefton in the north. It would also enable the outward train to leave Hokitika at a reasonable time in the morning, and every train from Christchurch to go right through to Hokitika instead of on Saturdays only, as at present.

The introduction into New Zealand of wood-boring pests was discussed at a meeting of the Dominion Federated Sawmillers' Association some days ago, when the following rasolution was passed: "This federation strongly supports' the endeavours of the State Forest Service to prevent the sntry of foreign^insects into New Zealand." It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Forestry Department and also to the Ministers of Forests and Customs. Several instances have come under the notice of the Forestry Department 'and of the Sawmillers' Association of the manner in which the borer enters the Dominion. Not long ago the. packing of a consignment of nursery stock from Japan was found to contain small apple-tree twigs harbouring borers of a species peculiar to that country. In another case imported Japanese oak was found to be practically riddled by these pests. More recently examination of a shipment of Australian hardwood disclosed the fact that a yellowish grub was working havoc beneath the bark and in the sap of the timber. The depredations of insects in the larch forests in Maine, U.S.A., are causing some concern in that State, and examination of the trees affected has shown that they are being attacksd by a comparatively new insect in that region.

The decision of the Government «to remove the embargo on the importation of German goods on Ist September, 1923, was discussed by the executive of the Canterbury Industrial Association last week, says the Christchurch "Sun." The chairman said that the Government had gazetted the lifting of the embargo before organisations had had time to discuss the matter. The Government had almost broken its promise, as it was understood that twelve months' notice would be given of the lifting of the embargo. The lessons of the war seemed to have been forgotten, even by the Prime Minister. Mr. Massey had said that he would protect the secondary industries if trade were carried on with the Motherland, yet the embargo was to be lifted. The manufacturers of New Zealand were doing their best to produce goods so as to avoid importing goods. The British Empire Exhibition was for the purpose- of cultivating trade within the Empire. There was no guarantee that' the Germans would not attempt in trade what they set out to do before, the war. He did not care a "tinker's *Rurse" about the indemnity. The manufacturers of the Dominion were going to suffer if ths embargo were lifted. If German goods were to be allowed to come in, they must be branded adequately, and marked co that all might know. He considered that a strong protest against the embargo ptoposai bhauld hv sailt to tlie Government.

The Press Association reports that at its sitting in Auckland the Arbitration Court awarded Hubert James Broughton, farm labourer, £384 against Donald Finlayson, farmer, Darg_ayille, for loss of a leg, caused by an injury sustained while rounding up sheep. ,

The Postal authorities have received advice from Melbourne that the Moeraki left at 6 a.m. on the 14th inst. for Wellington. She carries 171 bags of mails fpr the Dominion, including 76 from Australia, 11 from East and Africa, and 84 parcel reoeptacles.

"No, air, I'm no t afraid of my wife, but I am afraid of her tongue." Thin admission was by the master of a coastal veßseJ, when he appeared in the Auckland Police Court last week, to show why he should not be bound over to keep the peace with his wife, she having applied for legal protection of that nature.

" The position of returned soldiers on the land has become must serious, and this problem has been kept to the forefront in the association's activities," states the annual report of the Christ--church R.S.A. "The association is of the opinion that nothing but revaluation will meet the case of a largo number of soldiers on the land, and ii will continue to press the Government, in this direction."

A tour of inspection by Mr. M'Vill;?, General Manager of Railways, of the South Canterbury \ section will take plac« to-morrow. Deputations will be received from the Rangitata Island sefflers, who wish for trucking yards, and from G-eraldine business men in regard to railway extension. Other proposed deputations dealing with railway matter* will consist of representative business men from Temuka and Fairlie. The member for the district, Mr. T. D. Burnett, will accompany Mr. M'Villy during the tour.

The necessity of the dairy factories of Southland giving some tangible support to the other local organisations which are endeavouring to obtain more direct shipping facilities for local producers was stressed at a recent meeting of dairy factory representatives, says the " Southland Times." The meeting decided to do so, and at the same tirce passed a resolution reaffirming its belief that some measure of control oyer shipping companies and the expo! rt overseas of dairy..produce should be exercised by the establishment of a Domin-s ion Control Board.

"One owed the other money, but the debtor wouldn't pay, so the creditor stated his intention of. 'taking it out of him,' which he proceeded to do," said Senior-Sergeant Lander at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when two young men, George Henry Chambers and David Freedman, appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., on charges of using threatening behaviour. "Do you say it happened outside the Tarankia Street Police Station?" inquired the Bench. "Yes," said the senior-sergeant. "It was very handy." In each case a fine of 20s and costs was imposed. . " •

The housing question was discussed by the Prisoners' Aid Society at a, meeting last week at Auckland. Prominent social workers \gho were present expressed the opinion that the overcrowded, insanitary, indelicate conditions in which many families had to live was undoubtedly one of the causes leading to trouble among young people. Mr. Edwin Hall, a member of the Prisons Board, who has given much thought to the qeustion, urged increased facilities for travel so that people might live 10 or 15 miles from the city, and cover that distance quickly and cheaply. The feeling was unanimous that the matter is of great importance and urgency. , ...... '.: •

Telephone matters were discussed at the Chamber of Commerce at Auckland on Thursday. Mr. H. W. Hudson eaid the matter had been gone into fully by the Canterbury Progress League, which maintained that the Government had not set about to p---"9. th« loss on telephones in the righ i way. Another complaint was; that the losses were worked out on the most unprofitable year, the period ended 31st March, 1922, when salaries, wages, and materials were at their highest. Since then, there had been a, 10 per cent.' decrease in wages- and a much greater one in the cost of materials. . Moreover, the Telegraph Department had been credited with the profits on bureau calls, .part of which money should'have been included in the Telegraph. Department receipts. In view of these and other arguments, the league did not consider the proposed advance in charges wns justified. The meeting decided to endorse the arguments of the league. Speakers referred in eulogistic terms to the way in which the Department had made all possible information available*'....".

The keenness of the various charitable institutions for money is further advertised by the Sydney Show, writes a Sydney correspondent. of the ' hospitals, the Benevolent Society, and other kindred organisations have tea and luncheon rooms there. They are run by voluntary labour, and in some instances the tea, coffee, and provision are given by city merchants, and the equipment is lent. City business men have increasing demands made upon their generosity, and it is not surprising that occasionally gome of them become explosive in their comments. The irritation is- only momentary. They realise that those who pester them hate the 'job and only do it because people who sorely need help cannot be assisted in any other way. The Prince Alfred Hospital makes such "big money" at th« show that it has incurred a liability of £2000 in building tea rooms on the/ ground. They will last for half a contury, and as the hospital will net £1.000 a year the investment is not so rash. The Women's Hospital, Crown street, likewise maftes "big money." Its secretary, Miss Mona Daley, whose ability wins for her the highest salary received by any woman in New South Wales', gives the show enterprise her special attention, indication in itself that the revenue is there to be gathered.

Highland blood was stirred at a recent j meeting of the Tongariro Nation*] Park j Board of control by a rather blunt suggestion that the planting of heather j should be discontinued. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce wrote to that effect, and Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., expressed the opinion that a halt should be called as regards planting heather, and that more attention be given to planting New Zealand plants, reports the "New Zealand Herald." Discussion on the subject opened rather cautiously, as if some members fancied heather might prove as prickly to its enemies as Scotch ,thistles to a Sassenach. It was clear, however, that two or three member^ suspected a possible nuisance in the future from the spread of heather. The warden of the Park, Mr. J. Oullen, stoutly assailed the anti-heather -propagandists on and off the Board of Control. He > said Mr. Massey and many other present and. former Ministers had supported and encouraged the planting of heather in the National Park, and ridiculed the suggestion that heather would become ?. noxious weed. Personally he would be the last man in the world to place improper weeds in the National Park. He discussed the virtues of heather with brisk enthusiasm, and asserted that Che propaganda against it was advanced only by those who knew nothing about heather. Some personal explanations followed, Mr. J. H. Gurison then moving that all heather seed in hand and ordered be sown, and the matter be thereafter further considered. It was no resolved, and an end made to rattm* " an auld sang."

The manager and engineer to the New Zealand branch of the Hume Pipe Company, Ltd., of Australia, and New Zealan.d, is visiting Wellington,. and is arranging for the establishing of several factories throughout New Zealand, for the purpose of manufacturing reinforced concrete pipes.

"I suppose the time will come when all motor vehicles will be kept down to 30 miles per hour," Baid Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., when he was dealing with a case of speeding at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court. He believed that that would be the only way of dealing with th*a "road-hog."

The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, on Saturday attended the opening of the Nihutupo dam, which will extend .the Auckland, water supply, and will give a storage of 540,000,000 gallons, which is estimated to equal the. demand for the next 1 ten yeaTs. —Press Association. •

The Postal authorities have received advice from Sydney that the Marama left at noon on the Hth inst. for Wellington. She carries 1157 bags of mails for the Dominion, including 273 from Australia, 823 from beyond, 61 parcel receptacles. (Beyond includes East 12, and Africa 4.)

The Labour Party's candidates for seats on the Christchurch City Council intend emphasising the desirableness of establishing a municipal bakery, says -the "Press," the idea being that such an establishment .would not only make bread cheaper, but would ensure that bread would b« made under hygienic conditions. Plans have been obtained of a model bakery in Melbourne. '■

The Mangahume correspondent of the "Opunake Times" says:—While exploring the bush at the base of Mt. Egmont, above Clement's mill, a lad discovered a human skull lying near a large stump. The skull was in a perfect state of preservation, the teeth being intact. From all appearances it is the skull of an adult. Although search has been made around the stump and the,ground upturned to a considerable depth, no further remains have been discovered. A bullet had passed through the skull."

. The annual report of the Wairarapa Egg Circle states that the, past year's operations were, as regards prices, most unsatisfactory for those engaged in the industry. The prices received during the flush of the season reached the lowest level for many years past. Owing to the combination of the southern wheatgrowers and millers,, the price of wheat has , been maintained at -practically that of last season. During the year there were disposed of, in Wellington, Masterton, Carterton, and Greytown. 60,736 dozen eggs, which realised £5002; _ against 60,789 dozen sold for, £6205 in the previous year..

"There are too irany servant girls and domestics committing theft," was the comment of Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day,, when a "woman named Florence Smith appeared for. sentence on a charge of stealing 2s". When the accused was previously before the Court, it was explained that money had been missed by boarders in a, certain private hotel. A trap had been set, and a marked two shilling piece had been found in the defendant's purse. "Convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, and "expenses to be paid," ordered the Bench. "Don't let me see you here again, or I'll send you to Point Halawell," was the Magistrate's parting words to the accused.

The building and contents affected by the fire at the Wellington- Woollen Comt pany's premises in Willeston street on Friday morning were well covered by insurance, but the actual Josses. sustained have not yet been ascertained. The 'portion of the building that was gutted was covered in the London, Liverpool, and Globe Office for £200, in the J|orwich Union, for £1000, and in the ATla« Office for £1000. The following insurances were over the whole of the buildings and.contents:—Alliance, £3000; Atlas. £15,000; Australian Alliance, £7000; British Traders, £3000; Commercial Union, £3000; Guardian, £3000; London iSd Lancashire, £6000;. London, Liverpool, and Globe, £27,200; New Zealand Insurance Company, £7000; State Fire,--£2OOO j Norwich Union, £5000;' Northern Insurance Co., £2000; Ocean Accident, £2C0O: Phoenix, £3000; Queensland, £4000; Royal, £4000; South British £13,000; Boy a! Exchange, £6000; Standard, £11,000; Yorkshire, £6000; total, £132,210.

"The time has arrived when the association should J. take some very strong action in order to secure greater justice for men. who. are now suffering, for their patriotism," states a paragraph in the annual report of. th» Christchurch R.S.A. "It is well known that a large number of men were so anxious to get out of uniform that they did not report disabilities from "which they were suffering when discharged from th« Army. It is well known also that in a number ' of cases th« medical records are incomplete. Score* of men were gassed at the front, and no medical record made of the fact,' end if these men suboequently develop T. 8., under the present policy of the Department they are declined treatment. The association takes- up th» position that any man who breakE down M a result of his war iervice, no matter how many yesro after his discharge, and no matter how many times he has broken down, should' receive treatment and pension at the hands of the Department."

On his return to Dunedin from an extensive trip abroad, Mr. James Fletcher had something to say regarding emigration. "New Zealand," lie said, "has a well ; organised emigration office in London. ' Mr. Sandford, who is a New Zealander, is in charge, and he is well posted in regard to the requirements and the attractions of! this Dominion, and is handling the business in a most efficient manner. lam satisfied that.the inquiries he makes before passing emigrants will ensure our getting only desirable incomers. But he has to face a serious difficulty. The persons nominated, and whom he would like to send, are not always in a position to put down the money required, say, £50 for a man and his wife, and, though the coat is relatively less to come to New Zealand than to go to any other part of the world, many have to turn away sorrowfully from the idea of emigrating hither. No doubt this could be overcome to a large extent if employers who desired to nominate felt safe in advancing the passage money. That, I think, would be a proper solution of the problem. At present. an employer cannot do so, because he has n6 surety that the immigrant will remain in his service, and, if he does remain, the wages cannot be attached to repay the money advanced. We seem to be in a blind alley over this business. It" would be worth while to amend our procedure."